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A review by vaxildidi
Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was incredible, from beginning to end, and right now, having just finished it, is immediately in my top 5 fantasy books of all time, maybe even top 3 alongside Mistborn and The Lies of Locke Lamora.
The setting of Tevanne and it's surrounding world is probably the weakest part of the story, but I think that comes from an intentional under-exploration of it, Bennet leaving room to grow the setting and add further detail to the city and the world as it becomes relevant to the plot. That said, I still found it charming enough, especially when combined with the magic of the world. The lore of the Occidants also was a minor weak point, for me at least, if only that it left me confused as often as it intrigued me. Both the setting and history of the world have such immense potential, though, and on the whole aren't bad, they just simply weren't as good as the magic system, the characters, or the plot.
The magic system of Foundryside is reminiscent of that seen in RF Kuang's Babel, using language inscribed on objects for a variety of reasons (I do realize it predates Babel by about half a decade, but that's the touchstone my mind went to, because I read Babel before I picked this up). That said, it is far more complex, developed, and used on page than anything Babel approaches. The intricate sigils used in the art of "scriving," which magically alters the reality of objects to behave in specific ways (for example, convincing a crossbow bolt it's traveling much faster than it actually is) powers the world, and dominates basically every fascit of life in Tevanne. Seeing as how Bennet beat Kuang to the punch by almost half a decade, the magic feels wholly original and is used in incredibly fun ways.
The characters are another highlight. Sancia, Gregor, Orslo, and Bernice make up the majority of the protagonists, with a few secondary characters who are also a joy. Scancia is a former slave turned street urchin and thief, with the unnatural and unique ability of "object empathy," she can touch an object and the longer she is in contact with it the more of its history and surroundings she can learn, but at great personal cost; its physically painful and mentally stressful, the stressors multiplied one hundred fold if she ever touches another person. Gregor is heir to one of the major "Merchant Houses" (the 4 of which make up the rulers of the city) and war veteran who wishes to eschew the politics of the upper crust and bring justice and reform to the slums. He gives slight ACAB energy at times, but genuinely seems well. Orslo is a master Scriver for the same house Gregor is heir to, with Bernice as his #1 lieutenant. Orslo is a bit of a mad scientist type with an obsession for the Occidants, borderline diefic beings from an age long past, but is a genuis in his craft and Bernice is his fierce, brilliant apprentice.
The plot has so many twists and turns, that I really think anybody reading this review should just pick up the book because I don't want to spoil anything. Broad strokes though, Sancia wants her powers gone and takes a thieving job worth enough to get the surgery that would supposedly fix her. Things go sideways, however, after she does the job successfully and steals Clef. Stealing Clef tumbles her into a tangles web of intrigue and espionage, cutting edge scriving and betrayal, and into a plot and war maybe older than time itself. This is the first time I've had trouble putting down a book probably since I read Lies of Locke Lamora or Gideon The Ninth. Truly a masterful convergence of plot, character, and magic that has me desperate for more.
The setting of Tevanne and it's surrounding world is probably the weakest part of the story, but I think that comes from an intentional under-exploration of it, Bennet leaving room to grow the setting and add further detail to the city and the world as it becomes relevant to the plot. That said, I still found it charming enough, especially when combined with the magic of the world. The lore of the Occidants also was a minor weak point, for me at least, if only that it left me confused as often as it intrigued me. Both the setting and history of the world have such immense potential, though, and on the whole aren't bad, they just simply weren't as good as the magic system, the characters, or the plot.
The magic system of Foundryside is reminiscent of that seen in RF Kuang's Babel, using language inscribed on objects for a variety of reasons (I do realize it predates Babel by about half a decade, but that's the touchstone my mind went to, because I read Babel before I picked this up). That said, it is far more complex, developed, and used on page than anything Babel approaches. The intricate sigils used in the art of "scriving," which magically alters the reality of objects to behave in specific ways (for example, convincing a crossbow bolt it's traveling much faster than it actually is) powers the world, and dominates basically every fascit of life in Tevanne. Seeing as how Bennet beat Kuang to the punch by almost half a decade, the magic feels wholly original and is used in incredibly fun ways.
The characters are another highlight. Sancia, Gregor, Orslo, and Bernice make up the majority of the protagonists, with a few secondary characters who are also a joy. Scancia is a former slave turned street urchin and thief, with the unnatural and unique ability of "object empathy," she can touch an object and the longer she is in contact with it the more of its history and surroundings she can learn, but at great personal cost; its physically painful and mentally stressful, the stressors multiplied one hundred fold if she ever touches another person. Gregor is heir to one of the major "Merchant Houses" (the 4 of which make up the rulers of the city) and war veteran who wishes to eschew the politics of the upper crust and bring justice and reform to the slums. He gives slight ACAB energy at times, but genuinely seems well. Orslo is a master Scriver for the same house Gregor is heir to, with Bernice as his #1 lieutenant. Orslo is a bit of a mad scientist type with an obsession for the Occidants, borderline diefic beings from an age long past, but is a genuis in his craft and Bernice is his fierce, brilliant apprentice.
The plot has so many twists and turns, that I really think anybody reading this review should just pick up the book because I don't want to spoil anything. Broad strokes though, Sancia wants her powers gone and takes a thieving job worth enough to get the surgery that would supposedly fix her. Things go sideways, however, after she does the job successfully and steals Clef. Stealing Clef tumbles her into a tangles web of intrigue and espionage, cutting edge scriving and betrayal, and into a plot and war maybe older than time itself. This is the first time I've had trouble putting down a book probably since I read Lies of Locke Lamora or Gideon The Ninth. Truly a masterful convergence of plot, character, and magic that has me desperate for more.